Daniel w



(No Model.)

D. W. HOOVER.

EXTENSION LADDER AND TRUCK. No. 280,475. Patented July 3, 1883.

N. PETERS. Fhoio-Lhhognghcr, waq nnnn c UNITED STATES DANIEL WV. HOOVER, OF

FFICE.

PATENT GAS POINT, CALIFORNIA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 280,475, dated July 3, 1881.

Application filed April 2, 1883.

I To all whom it may concern.-

extends a bolt, 0.

Be it known that I, DANIEL W. HOOVER, of Gas Point, county of Shasta, State of Oalifornia, have invented an Improved Extension- Ladder and Truck; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to a new and useful extension-ladder and truck; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of parts I shall hereinafter particularly describe.

The particular object of my invention is to provide a ready means for picking fruit, or for pruning the trees, or for any such kindred use in. an orchard, its portability rendering it specially adapted to this purpose.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view, a portion of the stiles of the ladder broken away, and the top one of the uprights to also broken away. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a detail showing the means for hinging and securing the upper or extension portion.

A is a stand, suitably braced, to which, at a proper inclination, is firmly secured aladder, B, extending to the top,

Through the upper ends of the uprights a of the stand and through the top of the ladder The sides of the ladder are braced by bolts 0 under each step, whereby it is made as rigid as possible.

To the top and outer sides of the ladder are secured by these bolts small plates Z), the tops of which are bent or flared outwardly to serveas guides for the hooks d, which I shall explain.

D is the extension portion of the ladder. This is connected with the main ladder by means of hinges e, placed on the front sides, whereby said extension may turn or fold down forward, but is limited in its upward movement by finding a bearing for its sides on the sides of the main portion, in which position it continues the inclination of the main portion.

This extension is also provided with bracingbolts 0, one of which secures the plates E, the lower ends of which are formed into hooks d, and extend below the sides of the extension. WVhen said extension is thrown up into line, its hooks pass within the guide-plates b and (No model.)

ladder doubly sure, so that onecan mount the extension with safety.

In order to adapt this ladder for use in an orchard, it must have some means to make it easy to transport from one point to another. These means are as follows: F represents handles, pivoted at f to the inside lower ends of the standards a of the frame. Upon the ends of the handles are wheels G. H are guidestaples in which the handles play. The peculiarity of these handles is that they are in no wise connected with each other, but each is independent, to be raised or lowered according to circumstances. The advantages of their independence lie in their peculiar use in an orchard. may readily be moved to right or left in order to avoid placing it in a furrow or depression. It can be moved in a small circle around the tree, and can be set at any given point with accuracy without leaving the handles. This ready adj ustment'is required in pruning, grafting, or gathering the fruit. It can be run over rough or uneven ground without letting the foot of the ladder interfere with the ground. This is by reason of being able to raise one side easily. By standing steady of itself it does not require to be placed against the tree for support, and therefore all the fruit can be reached.

The whole device is preferably put together with bolts and nuts, so that it may be easily tightened up. I I am aware that extension-ladders having folding tops'and secured to stands and trucks have been heretofore known and used for purposes such as fire-escapes, &c.; and I therefore do not claim such a device, broadly, but limit myself to the particular construction I here show.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is Y 1. The stand A, having standards a, the ladder B, and top bolt, 0, in combination with the extension or folding ladder D, hinged to the top front of ladder B, and the plates E, having hooks cl, engaging with the bolt 0, substantially as herein described.

2. The stand A, having standards a, ladder engage with the bolt C, thus rendering the B, having side guide-plates, I), and the top By moving either handle the device bolt, 0, in combination with the hinged extenand independent one of the other, substansion D, having plates E,w1th hooks d, engagtially as and for the purpose herein described. IO

ing' with bolt (1, substantially as herein dein witness whereof I hereunto set my hand.

scribed. T T V 3. The stand A and ladders B D, connected DAL IEL therewith, substantially as herein shown, in \Vitnesses: combination withthehandles F, having wheels W. R. STREET, G, said handles being pivoted to the stand A, H. H. SHUFFLETON. 

